Housing Encasing A Wireless Device Having A Display Compartment

ABSTRACT

A housing encasing a wireless device has at least one opening bordering a display compartment. A pliable retaining lip borders the perimeter of the display compartment and is configured to conform to a portion of an outer perimeter of a removable plate. A portion of the pliable retaining lip is configured to be deformed to enable installation of the removable plate into the display compartment. The display compartment has a compartment recess configured to retain the outer perimeter of a removable plate, whereby, a portion of the removable plate is visible to a user. A transparent barrier element is connected to a surface of the housing and is configured to cover the display compartment. The outer perimeter of the display compartment has a dedicated finger recess for removal of the removable plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, generally, to a housing configured to encase a wireless device in bidirectional communication with a communication system. More particularly, it relates to a housing having an integrally formed display compartment having at least one opening, a pliable retaining lip configured to conform to an outer perimeter of a removable plate, thereby, retaining the removable plate within a compartment recess of the display compartment, whereby, a portion of the removable plate is visible when retained within the display compartment.

2. Background Art

Previously, in World War 1, Challenge Coins were carried by servicemen during battle to identify themselves as being American. These coins could be carried in a pocket of an article of clothing, worn around a user's neck as part of a necklace, or retained within a wallet. Since World War 1, it has become a tradition, especially, among servicemen to ensure that all unit members carry their coin at all times by “challenging” a serviceman to produce their coin. A serviceman was rewarded for producing their coin and was penalized if their coin was not immediately produced when challenged. Thus, especially for those who continue to carry out this tradition as well as other users including, but not limited to, an individual, a coin collector, a governmental agency, a law enforcement agency, a firefighter, Homeland Security, FBI, a college, a school, a business, or a sports group, there is a need for a user to be able to conveniently store a removable coin within a storage compartment and to be able to quickly display a removable coin without having to remove the coin from the storage compartment.

Currently, some coins are kept in storage containers such as an album, a folder, a book, a display case, a plastic holder, a cardboard holder, a binder, a tube, or a plastic bag. These storage containers can be bulky, fragile to transport, and may not be convenient for displaying coins in an everyday setting. It is more desirable for a coin to be displayed without a user having to carry additional storage containers. Thus, there is a need for a housing encasing a wireless device having a display compartment with a compartment recess configured to retain a removable coin.

Many storage containers for coins are configured to protect the coin during storage and do not allow for the coin to be easily accessible in a portable and observable manner. It is more desirable for a user to be able to insert and remove a removable coin into a housing encasing a memory device having a display compartment with a pliable retaining lip configured to conform to the outer perimeter of the removable coin allowing the coin to be visible when retained within the display compartment.

However, in view of the prior art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made; it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art how the identified needs could be fulfilled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for a housing configured to encase a wireless device, whereby, the housing has at least one opening bordering a display compartment having a pliable retaining lip configured to conform to a portion of an outer perimeter of a removable plate and having the removable plate configured to be retained by a compartment recess, whereby, a portion of the removable plate is visible which also includes improvements that overcome the limitations of prior art housings configured to encase a wireless device, is now met by a new, useful, and non-obvious invention.

The novel housing configured to encase a wireless device in bidirectional communication with a communication system has a primary wall located opposite a secondary wall. A wireless device in bidirectional communication with a communication system includes, but is not limited to, a phone, a computer, or a tablet having internet or phone. A communication system is any way of connecting a primary device to a secondary device including, but not limited to, a phone network or the internet. The primary wall has at least one opening. It is within the scope of this invention for the primary wall to have a plurality of openings. The housing has a display compartment having a compartment recess configured to retain a removable plate. It is within the scope of this invention for a plate to include, but not be limited to, a coin, a dog tag, a mirror, a picture, identifying information, an identification badge, a card, or an emblem.

The housing has a pliable retaining lip configured to overlap a portion of a perimeter of the removable plate. A portion of the pliable retaining lip is configured to be deformed to enable installation of the removable plate into the display compartment. A portion of the removable plate is visible when retained within the display compartment. It is within the scope of this invention for including, but not limited to, a user or a machine to deform a portion of the pliable retaining lip to install the removable plate into the display compartment.

In an alternate embodiment, the secondary wall of the housing can have at least one opening. A pliable retaining lip is configured to overlap a portion of a perimeter of the removable plate, whereby, a portion of the pliable retaining lip is configured to be deformed to enable installation of the removable plate into the display compartment. It is within the scope of this invention for the secondary wall of the housing to have a plurality of openings.

In another embodiment, the novel housing has a transparent barrier element configured to cover at least one opening of the display compartment. The transparent barrier element can be hingedly foldable. The transparent barrier element can be removable from the housing.

It is within the scope of this invention for barrier element 14 to be connected to housing 1. Barrier element 14 is configured to cover at least one opening of display compartment 9. Barrier element 14 can be removable from housing 1 by a user. For example, barrier element 14 is located on a surface of housing 1 and is configured to cover at least one opening of display compartment 9. Barrier element 14 could be removed by a user from housing 1 for a user to insert removable plate 3 into display compartment 9 from at least one opening. Once removable plate 3 is retained with compartment recess 15 of display compartment 9, barrier element 14 can be connected to a surface of housing 1.

In another embodiment, barrier element 14 can be connected to a surface of housing 1 to cover display compartment 9. For example, if barrier element 14 covered primary opening 2 of display compartment 9, then removable plate 3 could be inserted into display compartment 9 from secondary opening 11.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 4, barrier element 14 can be hingedly connected to housing 1. Barrier element 14 is configured to cover removable plate 9. For example, when oriented in a closed configuration, barrier element 14 covers display compartment 9. It is within the scope of this invention for barrier element 14 to be flush with a surface of housing 1 including, but not limited to, primary wall 6. It is also envisioned for the current invention to have a barrier element encasing (not shown) removable plate 3.

In another embodiment, the novel housing has a dedicated finger recess bordering a portion of an outer perimeter of the display compartment. A dedicated finger recess allows for including, but not limited to, a user's finger, a user's thumb, a rod, or a machine to remove the removable plate from the display compartment recess.

In an alternate embodiment, the novel housing is configured to encase a memory device having an electronic display comprising a primary wall located opposite a secondary wall. A memory device having an electronic display is anything that electronically displays information including, but not limited to, a nook or a tablet without internet or phone, an LCD screen, a plasma screen, or an LED screen. The primary wall has at least one opening. It is within the scope of this invention for the primary wall to have a plurality of openings. The housing has a display compartment having a compartment recess configured to retain a removable plate. It is within the scope of this invention for a plate to include, but not be limited to, a coin, a dog tag, a mirror, a picture, identifying information, an identification badge, a card, or an emblem.

The housing has a pliable retaining lip configured to overlap a portion of a perimeter of the removable plate. A portion of the pliable retaining lip is configured to be deformed to enable installation of the removable plate into the display compartment. A portion of the removable plate is visible when retained within the display compartment. It is within the scope of this invention for including, but not limited to, a user or a machine to deform a portion of the pliable retaining lip to install the removable plate into the display compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the novel housing encasing a wireless device having an opening bordering a display compartment configured to retain and display a removable plate;

FIG. 2 is a side cut away view of the novel housing encasing a wireless device configured for a user to deform a portion of a pliable retaining lip to insert a removable plate into the display compartment;

FIG. 3 is an exploded side cut away view of the novel housing encasing a wireless device with a display compartment having a pliable retaining lip configured to conform to an outer perimeter of a removable plate and having a recess configured to retain a removable plate;

FIG. 4 is a side cut away view of the novel housing encasing a wireless device with a display compartment having a pliable retaining lip configured to conform to an outer perimeter of a removable plate, having a recess configured to retain the removable plate, and having a barrier element hingedly connected to the housing;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the novel housing encasing a wireless device having two openings, each opening bordering a display compartment;

FIG. 6 is a rear exploded view of an embodiment of the novel housing encasing a wireless device having two openings, each opening bordering a display compartment;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the novel housing encasing a wireless device having an opening with a dedicated recess partially conforming to at least one finger for removing a plate from the display compartment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the novel housing encasing a wireless device having two openings, each opening bordering a display compartment and at least one opening having a dedicated recess partially conforming to at least one finger for removing a plate from the display compartment; and,

FIG. 9 is a side cut away view of the novel housing encasing a wireless device having an opening bordering a display compartment, the opening having a dedicated recess partially conforming to at least one finger for removing a plate from the display compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, FIG.1 shows housing 1 having primary wall 6 with primary opening 2. When removable plate 3 is inserted 17 (FIGS. 2 and 3) through primary opening 2 of housing 1, removable plate 3 is retained in display compartment 9 (FIG. 2) and a portion of retained plate 3 is visible to a user (not shown).

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate housing 1 encasing wireless device 5 in bidirectional communication with a communication system (not shown). Housing 1 has primary wall 6 located opposite secondary wall 7. Primary wall 6 has primary opening 2 bordering display compartment 9. Primary opening 2 has a smaller perimeter than the outer perimeter 12 of removable plate 3. Pliable retaining lip 4 borders the perimeter of display compartment 9. A portion of pliable retaining lip 4 is configured to be deformed by user 10. When a portion of pliable retaining lip 4 is deformed by user 10, removable plate 3 can be inserted 17 into display compartment 9.

FIGS. 2-4 further depict compartment recess 15 being formed from the outer perimeter of display compartment 9. Display compartment 9 has compartment recess 15 configured to retain the outer perimeter 12 of removable plate 3. A portion of pliable retaining lip 4 is configured to conform to a portion of outer perimeter 12 of removable plate 3 within display compartment 9. Primary opening 2 has a smaller perimeter than the outer perimeter of compartment recess 15. Wireless device 5 in bidirectional communication with a communication system (not shown) is configured to be inserted 18 into an opening of housing 1 retained by wireless device retaining lip 8.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 best shows barrier element 14 being located on a surface of housing 1. Barrier element 14 can be hingedly 13 foldable to an open configuration (not shown) or folded to a closed configuration (FIG. 4) to cover display compartment 9.

The embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 show housing 1 having primary wall 6 (FIG. 5) having primary opening 2 bordering display compartment 9. Primary wall 6 is located opposite secondary wall 7 (FIG. 6) having secondary opening 11 bordering display compartment 9. FIG. 5 best shows removable plate 3 configured to be inserted 17 into display compartment 9 through primary opening 2. FIG. 6 best shows removable plate 3 configured to be inserted 17 into display compartment 9 through secondary opening 11.

The embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 is attained by modifying the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 by having dedicated finger recess 16 bordering a portion of an outer perimeter of display compartment 9. Dedicated finger recess 16 is configured to receive including, but not limited to, a portion of the finger or thumb of user 10, whereby, a portion of the thumb of user 10 connects with a portion of removable plate 3 to remove removable plate 3 from display compartment 9 (FIG. 9).

The embodiment of FIG. 9 is attained by modifying the embodiment of FIG. 2 by having dedicated finger recess 16 bordering a portion of an outer perimeter of display compartment 9. Dedicated finger recess 16 is configured to receive a portion of the finger or thumb of a user 10, whereby, the portion of the finger or thumb of user 10 connects with a portion of removable plate 3 to remove 19 plate 3 from display compartment 9.

An important object of this invention is to provide housing 1 encasing wireless device 5 having display compartment 9 with compartment recess 15 configured to retain a portion of the outer perimeter 12 of removable plate 3 so that a portion of removable plate 3 is visible to a user.

Additional objects include, but are not limited to, the provision of housing 1 configured to receive removable plate 3. Removable plate 3 includes, but is not limited to, a coin, a minor, a picture, an emblem, or a plate. A user can remove plate 3 from display compartment 9 and replace plate 3 with the same plate 3 or a different plate 3. FIG. 4 illustrates barrier element 14 can be a translucent material including, but not limited to, plastic or glass. In an embodiment, barrier element 14 is configured to be hingedly foldable 13 over display compartment 9. FIG. 4 shows barrier element 14 having a closed orientation when barrier element 14 covers display compartment 9. Barrier element 14 is oriented in an open configuration (not shown) to allow for plate 3 to be inserted 17 into or to be removed from display compartment 9 by user 10. Barrier element 14 is configured to cover primary opening 2 of display compartment 9 to prevent damage to plate 3 and to prevent contaminants (not shown) from entering display compartment 9. The contaminants include, but are not limited to, oil from a user's skin, dust, dirt, rain, mud, or a liquid. It is also within the scope of this invention for barrier element 14 to be including, but not limited to, adhered to or overlaid upon removable plate 3.

In another embodiment, FIG. 6 depicts removable plate 3 configured to be inserted 17 into display compartment 9 through secondary opening 11 of housing 1. Barrier element 14 can be connected to primary wall 6 to cover primary opening 2. It is within the scope of this invention for a portion of barrier element 14 to be hingedly connected to primary opening 2 of housing 1 (FIG. 4). It is also within the scope of this invention for barrier element to be removable from housing 1.

In another embodiment, barrier element 14 could be a lens configured to magnify removable plate 3 to be easily visible to a user.

These and other important objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear as this description proceeds.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the description set fourth hereinafter and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

Construction of the Novel Wireless Device Housing

In a preferred embodiment, housing 1 encasing wireless device 5 in bidirectional communication with a communication system has at least one opening bordering display compartment 9. It is within the scope of this invention for housing 1 encasing wireless device 5 in bidirectional communication with a communication system to have a plurality of openings (not shown) bordering a plurality of display compartments (not shown). It is within the scope of this invention for housing 1 encasing wireless device 5 in bidirectional communication with a communication system to have a plurality of compartments (not shown) each having compartment recess 15 configured to retain removable plate 3.

In another embodiment as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, primary wall 6 has at least one opening 2 located opposite secondary wall 7 having at least one opening 11. Retaining lip 4 is configured to conform to outer perimeter 12 of removable plate 3.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described, 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A housing configured to encase a wireless device in bidirectional communication with a communication system, comprising: said housing comprising a first wall located opposite a second wall, whereby, said first wall having at least one opening; a display compartment, said display compartment having a compartment recess configured to retain a removable plate; and, a pliable retaining lip, said pliable retaining lip configured to overlap a portion of a perimeter of said removable plate, whereby, a portion of said pliable retaining lip is configured to be deformed to enable installation of said removable plate into said display compartment, whereby, a portion of said removable plate is visible when retained within said display compartment.
 2. The housing of claim 1, wherein said second wall of said housing having at least one opening.
 3. The housing of claim 2, wherein said second wall having a pliable retaining lip configured to overlap a portion of a perimeter of said removable plate, whereby, a portion of said pliable retaining lip is configured to be deformed to enable installation of said removable plate into said display compartment.
 4. The housing of claim 1, wherein said housing having a transparent barrier element configured to cover said at least one opening of said display compartment.
 5. The housing of claim 4, wherein said transparent barrier element being hingedly foldable.
 6. The housing of claim 4, wherein said transparent barrier element being removable from said housing.
 7. The housing of claim 1, wherein said display compartment having a dedicated finger recess bordering a portion of an outer perimeter of said display compartment.
 8. A housing configured to encase a memory device having an electronic display, comprising: said housing comprising a first wall located opposite a second wall, whereby, said first wall having at least one opening; a display compartment, said display compartment having a compartment recess configured to retain a removable plate; and, a pliable retaining lip, said pliable retaining lip configured to overlap a portion of a perimeter of said removable plate, whereby, a portion of said pliable retaining lip is configured to be deformed to enable installation of said removable plate into said display compartment, whereby, a portion of said removable plate is visible when retained within said display compartment.
 9. The housing of claim 8, wherein said second wall of said housing having at least one opening.
 10. The housing of claim 9, wherein said second wall having a pliable retaining lip configured to overlap a portion of a perimeter of said removable plate, whereby, a portion of said pliable retaining lip is configured to be deformed to enable installation of said removable plate into said display compartment.
 11. The housing of claim 8, wherein said housing having a transparent barrier element configured to cover said at least one opening of said display compartment.
 12. The housing of claim 11, wherein said transparent barrier element being hingedly foldable.
 13. The housing of claim 11, wherein said transparent barrier element being removable from said housing.
 14. The housing of claim 8, wherein said display compartment having a dedicated finger recess bordering a portion of an outer perimeter of said display compartment. 